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Brothers and Sisters
in Christ,
I love it when God
allows me to see something in scripture or make a connection I've never seen
before. Especially when it's nearing my
turn to give the message (coincidence? Not!). When I find out something new (to
me) I get excited about telling others – I want them to have that
“a-ha” moment as well. I think
that's how God wants us all to feel about Him – excited to tell others what
we've found.
Last night, I had
the opportunity to share what God put on my heart about His zeal for a
relationship with us, and how Jesus had that same zeal when he cleansed the
temple, driving out the money changers and those selling animals. Jesus cleaned out the corruption for worship
(relationship) to be restored. Then I shared the connection God showed me –
since the temple of the Holy Spirit is now in the hearts of believers,
corruption can creep into that temple as well.
Jesus stands ready to cleanse our temple to restore worship
(relationship) – if we let Him. I'd
never made that specific connection before.
Even in delivering
the message, God continues to teach me.
I was a little disappointed in the turnout for church – only 4 guys in
first service (where we've been averaging 18) and 5 guys in the second service. I was hoping to share what God showed me with
more people. But class was still in
session – He reminded me that serving Him is not about me or my feelings. I
must be content with the opportunities He places before me. Even if only one man showed up, it's still
worth it to give my best. Because it's
what He wants, not what I want. The
lessons never end, do they?
I hope our Awesome
Heavenly Father blesses and reveals things to you as we all dutifully (and
cheerfully) lift up these men and their prayer requests each week. Thank you for your faithful partnership in
this ministry to “the least of these”. May God bless you and your family in a
special way this week. And then give you
a sense of excitement that you want to share it with others.
Grace and Peace,
Rick
Prayer Requests from Medium
Security (6:00pm Monday service):
- Greg– grateful to be here, I've
been reading Christian literature and I'm at a decision point to turn my
will over to God. My meds have been
adjusted and I can see things more clearly and I admit to my mistakes. - Erskin– Asking for spiritual wisdom
instead of worldly wisdom to stay on the right path. I'm getting out soon and scared to be on
my own – I couldn't find God or stay off drugs out there on my own – I
needed this place to help me get clean and clear. I have 2 court dates coming up on the
24th and 29th. - Ryan– I'm trapped inside here
with some weird old guy in my cell.
Pray for my investments, and my insurance agent Doctor Reynolds,
and for my sense of humor. I was
going to be a singer and dancer out there, pursuing the arts when my
family tossed me into a psych ward. - Carl– I have court on Thursday,
and pray for mercy and my detainer to be lifted. - Jim M– for Dee (75) who has 9
inoperable tumors on her liver and is on chemotherapy. - Jose G– for the salvation of all in
Chester County Prison, and for the fellowship of Hindu Christians I will
be presenting a message to in the morning – 75 families on a zoom call –
pray that my message would be Christ-centered and clear. - Andy L– for my neighbors all around
that have various problems, like an older lady (Rhonda) who's kidneys
stopped working. She is starting to
trust the Lord. - Dan T– for my brother-in-law John
as he grows as a Christian. We
noticed a Bible at his house, he's working his way through the Gospels. - Rick C– my friend Dan has
inoperable pancreatic cancer and is on palliative care. Pray for my daughter Ali and her husband
to be able to conceive, and for all couples struggling to get pregnant.
Pray my son Kyle can find a house before his lease expires. - Phil T– for the prison block
assignments for church services to get straightened out, and for all the
brothers that used to come to the services that have gone up state.
Prayer Requests from Medium
Security (6:15pm Monday service):
- Troy: Pray for his wife's (Beth)
MRI results on her leg. Pray for his kid's salvation (son Tyson, daughters
Stephanie and Lexus). Continue to
pray for his daughter Lexus that she would get free from the worldly-ness
and back into the Kingdom. Also,
please pray for this brother Jimmie and Sister Debbie. In addition, Troy
asked us to pray for the oppressive correctional officers. - Nick: Pray for Nick's father who
has stage 4 prostate cancer – for peace and healing. Also, Nick asked to
pray for his recovery, and that the world would get a chance to hear his
music. Pray that Nick would find Jesus and healing from addiction. Nick
asked that we would also pray for those who are suffering. - Troy (volunteer): Pray for his
wife Caroline's hip surgery in October, and for his unsaved family
members. - Andy (volunteer): Pray that his
wife would not need knee surgery, and for his unsaved family members. - Shane (volunteer): Pray for
closeness to God and to his wife. Also, pray that Shane would continue to
organize his life and for structure.
Prayer Requests from Minimum
Security (7:30pm Monday service):
- Rick– For our brother volunteer
Bill Harkins dealing with cancer.
Praise the Lord for scans showing a 40% reduction in cancer
activity between Feb and May.
Continued prayers for full healing. - Anthony– For my wife, my marriage,
and that I can stay strong. - Rasheem– to get back together with
my kid's mother and my children, and for everything to be good with the
kids. I pray that Ashley finds the
Lord – she's in prison too. - Robert– for more happiness in my
life, and for my probation officer and getting a court date. For my father to find peace while in
state prison. And for friends and
family to stay safe in their travels. - Merlin– for my family, and to grow
in my faith. - Blair– for my family, my kids, and
myself. To get civilized and be
right in my thoughts. TO be a
better man and love God. - Rick– for daughter Ali and
husband to have a baby without medical intervention. - Andy– for opportunity to share
Gospel with neighbors.
Prayer Requests from
Onesimus Ministries
- For the many Volunteers ministering to inmates at
Chester County Prison. - For Chaplain Heinrich, and his ministry to male
inmates and staff. - For Chaplain Rhonda, and her ministry to female
inmates and staff. - For Chaplain Jack Crans, as he leads chaplaincy at
Chester County Prison among both inmates and prison leadership, and for
his personal strength and healing from cancer. - For the Families supporting each inmate,
staff member, chaplain, and volunteer. - For Onesimus Ministries Board of
Directors,
wisdom and insight for the future of the ministry. - For Aftercare
ministries and
post-prison support organizations throughout Chester County.
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